5 Key Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

A family dentist is a dental health care professional who can provide for the oral health needs of a range of individuals, no matter their age. This type of dental professional is recommended to families for many reasons. Here is a closer look at what these professionals offer and five good reasons to choose one for your dental home.

Family dentists vs. general dentists

A family dentist is a type of general dentist. They attend undergraduate school and then four years of dental school, where they earn a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Both can perform general dental services, such as cleaning, cavity treatments, and restorations. However, unlike a general dentist who focuses on adults, a family dentist will be trained to treat all family members from childhood to older adulthood.

The 5 key benefits of choosing a family dentist

Family dentists offer many advantages in skill, customer service, and convenience. Here is a closer look at five reasons people choose family dentists.

Convenience

Family life is busy, and fitting health and dental care appointments into an already-packed schedule can be challenging. Having one place everyone can go makes it easier. Parents can even schedule their routine dental appointments on the same day as their children. This makes for less running around, helping to save both time and money.

Versatility

A family dentist provides a wide range of preventive and therapeutic services to all types of patients and is skilled at working with people of different ages. They work with small children, teens, adults, and older adults, providing cleanings, fillings, root canals, and other dental services. These providers understand the unique needs of each type of patient when it comes to dental services.

Familiarity and trust

A long-term, trusting relationship with a dental provider usually leads to better care. Patients can trust they are working with a dentist who knows their history and oral health situation and is considering that when planning their care. Going to the dentist can be nerve-wracking. However, it is much less so when working with a dentist a patient feels comfortable with and has developed a good rapport.

Kid-friendly

Every parent knows kids do not always like going to the dentist and need a professional who makes them feel safe and comfortable. Family dentists and their office team are used to working with kids and usually enjoy doing so. Both dentists and staff know what it takes to make young patients feel comfortable so they can relax and get the care they need.

Dental Education

Family dentists take their role of educating patients seriously. In addition to providing their patients with the correct routine preventive and therapeutic care, they also want to ensure patients have the knowledge and tools they need to support their dental health at home. Family dentists know how patients of all ages can best care for their oral health and what potential problems they need to be aware of. Dental education is an important part of the dentist-patient relationship.